Why OpenAI says it isn’t spending on Super PACs
OpenAI is not yet contributing to political action committees or 501(c)(4) social-welfare nonprofits because OpenAI wants to retain control of its political spending, Lehane told CNN in an interview. Though OpenAI is not making super PAC donations, its executives and biggest investors have made major contributions. President and co-founder Greg Brockman and his wife, Anna, have donated $25 million to a super PAC that supports President Donald Trump. The company said this week it is donating to the Public First Action super PAC, a bipartisan group that advocates for AI regulation, because they “don’t want to sit on the sideline” while AI regulation is being developed. David Sacks, the White House’s AI czar, blamed Anthropic last year for “the state regulatory frenzy that is damaging the ecosystem.
Source:Egypt Independent
February 16, 2026 14:22 UTC
America is on the verge of a new type of racial reckoning
What’s been happening there marks the beginning of a new type of racial reckoning. Signs memorializing Alex Pretti and Renee Good are seen in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on February 4, 2026. “It may look like food, but the life-giving nutrients are long gone.”There were, of course, other reasons for the failures of the 2020 protests. But the Minnesota protests, where the civic unity is as palpable as the biting cold, stand on more solid ground. In Springfield, Ohio, a network of Black, White and Latino churches called G92 has formed to protect the Haitian community.
Source:Egypt Independent
February 16, 2026 14:22 UTC
By buying Russia’s oil, Hungary is fueling the Kremlin’s war machine – and enriching foundations linked to Orbán
The research undercuts Orbán’s claims that continuing to buy Russian oil, despite European Union-wide efforts to phase out Russian fossil fuels, makes fuel cheaper for Hungarians. “The dependence on discounted Russian oil has not trickled down to consumers,” Martin Vladimirov, director of CSD’s energy and climate program, told CNN. The Czech Republic has since stopped buying Russian oil, but Hungary and Slovakia used the EU’s exemption to deepen their dependence. Last year, Russia accounted for over 92% of Hungary’s crude oil imports, up from 61% pre-invasion, the report said. Bernadett Szabo/ReutersHungary receives Russian crude oil through the Druzhba pipeline, which runs through Ukraine, but it is also connected to the Adria pipeline, which runs through Croatia and pumps non-Russian crude oil from the Adriatic coast.
Source:Egypt Independent
February 16, 2026 14:22 UTC
FM: Governance of Red Sea should be limited to the littoral states only
CAIRO, Feb 16 (MENA) – Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty affirmed that governance of the Red Sea should be limited to the littoral states only, stressing Egypt’s categorical rejection of any attempts by external parties to impose themselves as partners in Red Sea governance. This came during the meeting held by the Foreign Minister with Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, on the sidelines of the African Union Summit. The minister praised the level of cooperation and coordination between Egypt and the African Union Commission, affirming Egypt’s support for the AU’s efforts to resolve conflicts and implement Agenda 2063. The Foreign Minister stressed that water is a fundamental human right—primarily a humanitarian and social right—underscoring that access to drinking water is indispensable. He expressed his aspiration to continue close coordination in a manner that enhances efforts toward peace, security, and development across the African continent.
Source:Egypt Independent
February 16, 2026 11:29 UTC
NCCM: Children participation in int’l forums important
Chairperson of the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood (NCCM) Sahar el Sonbaty said on Monday, February 16, 2026, that children’s participation in international forums represents a genuine contribution to shaping policies and visions that better respond to their needs. It also promotes a culture of positive engagement and helps build a generation capable of representing their country effectively on the global stage, she said. Her remarks came during the participation of a delegation from the council, including child members of the Arab Parliament for the Child (APC), in the third session of the fourth parliamentary cycle held in Sharjah in the UAE under the theme of “cybersecurity towards child-friendly content for Arab children.”Sonbaty asserted that this participation reflects the council’s role in supporting and empowering children to actively engage in international forums, based on the belief that they should be included in discussions that affect their present and future, in line with their right to express themselves as guaranteed by international and national conventions.
Source:Egypt Independent
February 16, 2026 11:29 UTC
FM heads for Kenya
CAIRO, Feb 16 (MENA) – Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty departed on Monday for Nairobi on an official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and intensifying political consultation and coordination between Egypt and Kenya. During the visit, Abdelatty is scheduled to hold meetings with senior Kenyan officials to explore avenues for advancing joint cooperation across a wide range of fields, particularly in political, economic, trade, investment and development sectors. The discussions will also include an exchange of views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, in a manner that reinforces the strategic partnership between Egypt and Kenya and supports efforts toward sustainable development and stability across the African continent.
Source:Egypt Independent
February 16, 2026 11:29 UTC
Diaa Rashwan: Media Minister or government spokesperson?
The core issue and the fundamental question is this: are we looking at a minister tasked with media affairs in an institutional, reformative sense? Rather, it asks: are we witnessing the appointment of a media minister in the modern, reformative sense? I have written extensively about media reform within the context of our current public sphere—as it stands—and despite the existing constraints on open discourse. However, if the goal is to appoint a media minister in the reformative sense, the mission is not to field questions, but to rebuild the system itself. If the objective is to reform the media, the task is not to polish the rhetoric, but to overhaul the infrastructure.
Source:Egypt Independent
February 16, 2026 09:04 UTC
Here are the bank working hours for Ramadan 2026
The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) announced the official working hours for the banking sector during Ramadan 2026, as part of its commitment to organizing operations and ensuring flexible provision of banking services throughout the holy month. In a statement issued on Sunday, the Central Bank explained that working hours for employees will be from nine am to two pm, while customer service hours will be from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm. The CBE emphasized its commitment to facilitating customer access to various banking services during Ramadan. When is Ramadan 2026? The Egyptian Dar al-Ifta institute announced on Sunday that the Ramadan crescent moon sighting ceremony will take place on Tuesday, February 17, through seven religious and scientific committees covering various governorates of the Republic.
Source:Egypt Independent
February 16, 2026 09:01 UTC
Egypt’s Electricity Ministry assures no power outages in summer
The spokesperson for the Egyptian Ministry of Electricity, Mansour Abdel-Moghny, assured that citizens will not experience power outages during the summer. During a phone interview with Al-Mehwar TV on Sunday, Abdel-Moghny emphasized the government’s ongoing support through a well-planned load management strategy, which proved successful last summer. Up to 2,000 megawatts of new power were added to the grid last year, he explained, while 3,000 megawatts will be added to the grid for the first time this year. The spokesperson added that battery storage will be implemented for the first time in the history of Egypt’s electricity grid. He indicated that by 2030, 42 percent of the nation’s energy mix will be generated from new and renewable sources.
Source:Egypt Independent
February 16, 2026 09:01 UTC
Egypt harshly condemns Israel over resuming West Bank settlement procedures
Egypt issued an official statement harshly condemning the Israeli government’s decision to resume land registration and settlement procedures in the occupied West Bank for the first time since 1967. Egypt called the move a “dangerous escalation” aimed at consolidating Israel’s control over the occupied Palestinian territories and undermining the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. Israel resumes West Bank settlingThe Israeli government’s decision, approved by the cabinet on Sunday, marks the first official step to resume land registration in the West Bank since its occupation in the June 1967 Six-Day War. This decision allows for the conversion of Palestinian land into Israeli “state land,” facilitating settlement construction and preventing Palestinians from claiming ownership rights. Historically, Israel froze registration procedures after the occupation to avoid recognizing Palestinian rights, but this move is now seen as an attempt to solidify de facto annexation, particularly following previous decisions such as the annexation of the Jordan Valley in 2020.
Source:Egypt Independent
February 16, 2026 09:01 UTC
Sir Magdy Yacoub Addresses the Student Body of Manara School in El-Gouna
El-Gouna – World renowned cardiothoracic surgeon, scientist and humanitarian, Sir Magdy Yacoub, visited Manara School in El-Gouna to address the student body on the importance of education, leadership and ethics as th each carve their individual paths. This was followed by a closed question-and-answer session by students who hold leadership roles within the school body as part of Manara’s Student Leadership Program. During this session, the students asked Dr. Yacoub before the full school body gathered in the auditorium for a student-led symposium. However, it is his commitment to passing on this know-how on to others that Dr. Yacoub sees as his truest wealth. Her passing from what was, even at the time, a curable heart problem is what first set Dr. Yacoub on his medical path.
Source:Daily News Egypt
February 16, 2026 07:04 UTC
Al-Sisi reviews summer electricity plan, orders accelerated solar expansion
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi reviewed the government’s preparations to secure electricity supplies during the upcoming summer season, as peak demand on the national grid is forecast to rise by 6-7%. The review took place during a meeting with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Essmat, according to a statement from the presidency. Essmat outlined the ministry’s plan to reinforce generation capacity ahead of peak consumption months, including the addition of approximately 3,000 megawatts (MW) of new solar energy projects this year. Al-Sisi emphasised the importance of maintaining grid stability and ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply for households, industry and vital services. He called for accelerating renewable energy projects while improving the operational efficiency of existing power plants and transmission networks.
Source:Daily News Egypt
February 16, 2026 06:55 UTC
Private Banking launch at QNB Egypt redefines regional excellence: Group CEO
In a move underscoring its commitment to delivering differentiated, client-centric banking solutions, QNB Group has celebrated the launch of Private Banking services at QNB Egypt. The experience is further enhanced by QNB Group’s extensive regional and international presence, spanning approximately 28 countries worldwide. Through its Private Banking services, clients benefit from the highest levels of privacy and service excellence, with access to a wide range of bespoke financial solutions aligned with their individual preferences. Commenting on the launch, Abdulla Mubarak Al Khalifa, Group Chief Executive Officer of QNB, said: “The launch of Private Banking services embodies the Group’s vision of redefining premium banking across our markets. He added: “Private Banking at QNB Egypt is built on focus and execution.
Source:Daily News Egypt
February 15, 2026 20:15 UTC
40 firms seek MSMEDA classification certificate to access state incentives: Rahmy
Bassel Rahmy, Chief Executive of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (MSMEDA), announced that 40 companies have applied for the Agency’s classification certificate dedicated to innovative start-ups, enabling them to benefit from a wide range of government services, incentives and supportive legislation. Rahmy said the move reflects growing interest among entrepreneurs in formalising their status to access state-backed facilitation measures designed to strengthen micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The certificate allows eligible companies to take advantage of incentives offered by various government entities under Egypt’s entrepreneurship support framework. Rahmy highlighted the extensive support mechanisms being introduced in line with the Start-ups Charter, announced on the sidelines of the RiseUp Summit. He stressed that the state is offering exceptional investment opportunities for young entrepreneurs, enabling them to expand operations and penetrate export markets.
Source:Daily News Egypt
February 15, 2026 19:33 UTC
HSBC Egypt, Hong Kong TDC boost garment, textiles trade corridor
HSBC Egypt, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), hosted the Hong Kong Garment and Textiles Business Mission at its Cairo headquarters, bringing together 12 leading Hong Kong apparel and textile companies to explore investment prospects in Egypt. The event aimed to strengthen trade and investment flows between Egypt and Hong Kong by connecting international manufacturers with opportunities in Egypt’s expanding garment and textiles sector. Todd Wilcox, Deputy Chairperson and CEO of HSBC Bank Egypt, said Egypt is increasingly positioning itself as a pivotal node in global trade networks. “Through this mission, and with the support of HSBC Egypt, we are connecting Hong Kong companies with emerging opportunities in Egypt’s manufacturing landscape. Our objective is to provide businesses with direct market insights and foster partnerships that will further strengthen the Egypt-Hong Kong trade corridor,” Wong said.
Source:Daily News Egypt
February 15, 2026 19:15 UTC